Jackson Ponders A Weighty Issue

NBA - The Beat

June 8, 2002|By Brian Schmitz, Sentinel Staff Writer

What has been weighing on Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson's mind is Shaquille O'Neal's weight. According to various estimates, the 7-foot-1 O'Neal weighs anywhere from 350 to 380 pounds. He is listed in the Lakers' press guide at 330 pounds, but he weighed that while with the Orlando Magic.

O'Neal, 30, has been bothered by an arthritic big toe and various other ailments, and Jackson wants him to dedicate his off-season in Orlando to losing some pounds. Jackson said he and Shaq have been talking about "how to come back in some form or fashion where he doesn't have to deal with the weight, first and foremost, as a problem in returning to training camp."

"That's a difficult proposition the older you get," said Jackson. "I think that's probably the first thing we'll discuss [after the Finals]."

O'Neal played in 67 of 82 games, missing 11 because of the sore right toe. "It's obvious that we can't go forward as a franchise if he's going to play 50, 55 or 60 games a year," Jackson said.

Jackson said O'Neal wants to have surgery on the toe this off-season.

FEELING BLESSED

After the Nets' disastrous 2000-2001 season, in which they won just 26 games and were beset by injuries, Nets Coach Byron Scott didn't take any chances. He called his stepfather, a lay preacher, to bless their arena. "He just told me over the phone that he was going to bless the arena, the swamp, you know," Scott said. "Obviously, the man above blessed this team tremendously, and we didn't have those major injuries."

ALL-STAR VENUE

The NBA All-Star Game will be held at Staples Center in 2004, the first time basketball's showcase event will be played in the Los Angeles area in 21 years.

The league's Los Angeles Clippers, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings also play home games at Staples Center.

The 2004 all-star activities will take place the weekend of Feb. 13-15.